Crippling Fear and Anxiety

 

The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." (John 6:16-21)

Fear is sometimes good for you. It stops you from taking unnecessary risks. From being reckless and unthoughtful in what you do. Fear is natural.

It is a human emotion like all the others. Fear can be real and warranted - we fear punishment and retribution for our crimes, we fear threats from aggressive people, we fear criminals, wild animals and so on.

Or fear can be imagined and unwarranted - we fear the unknown, new places we have to visit, new situations in our lives, new people we have to meet, or we fear change from the comfort we're used to, we fear what might happen in the future.

So fear, by itself, being natural, is not a sin. But how we react and deal with it can be. Too much unwarranted fear could be an insult to God in that we do not trust Him enough to look after us and care for us. Prayers are the answer.

Let us consider carefully what it is that causes our fear and if there is a genuine reason then we should seek help. Discuss the matter with a trusted relative or friend. If there is cause for concern then we should not suffer and worry alone. Others may be able to help us or get us to see our problem from their perspective.

If however our anxiety is without foundation; and there is nothing practicable we can do to change the situation; we should trust in God. This is what He asks of us. To tell Him how we feel and seek His help to calm us down. He has conquered fear. He has conquered the future. As well as evil. Forever.

Do not be afraid – I will save you. I have called you by name – you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 

It is no point having faith in a Master who walks on water if we do not trust Him enough to follow Him.

FATHER FRANCIS MAPLE

WEBSITE HERE

Do not be afraid

 

Matthew 10:26-33

'So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.'

‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.'

FATHER FRANCIS MAPLE

WEBSITE HERE

I am afraid

 

When I was a little boy I was afraid of monsters under the bed. My parents soon sorted that out by cutting the legs off my bed.

If we're honest, we are all afraid of something or other. We all have our own monsters under the bed. Fear manifests itself in many forms.

It could be fear of illness. Or fear of old age. Or of being alone, of losing our job. Or fear of poverty. Possibly fear of not getting married and being single all our life. Or fear of change or the unknown. Or fear of rejection.

Remember when we were kids and we had to choose two teams for a game and two leaders would choose from a bunch of kids who will be on their team? Were you always chosen first, or were you one of the last ones to be chosen? That's what fear of rejection feels like. Being the last one to be chosen, or to be chosen out of pity. Like when I sent my photo to a dating agency and they returned it with a note saying, "we're not that desperate!" That's rejection.

Well, let me tell you something. You are never rejected by God. You are unique. You are special. And you are one-of-a-kind. No matter what you may think of yourself you are not rejected by God. He created you and there are no rejects off His production line. 

And another thing; living in fear will not make you happy. No matter what your fear is, real or imagined, hand it over to God. Pray about it and hand it over to God in the full knowledge that He cares for you and will protect you.

Sometimes you may need to seek advice to help resolve a problem or matter that causes you fear. Do so in the full trust in God that He is with you every step of the way. 

Trusting in God is not easy for everyone. Some people do struggle at it and feel that God is not listening or that they are distant from Him. This is the devil playing with our fears to derail us and to take us astray. The closer we are to God in our daily prayers the more the devil will fight to lead us astray. And our fears are his playground. 

He tempted Jesus many times. So we should not be much of a challenge to him.

Prayers are the answer. Prayers and trust in God. Do not be afraid. He has redeemed you and loves you. (Isaiah 43:1)

 

FATHER FRANCIS MAPLE

WEBSITE

I am afraid

 

The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." (John 6:16-21)

Fear is sometimes good for you. It stops you from taking unnecessary risks. From being reckless and unthoughtful in what you do. Fear is natural.

It is a human emotion like all the others. Fear can be real and warranted - we fear punishment and retribution for our crimes, we fear threats from aggressive people, we fear criminals, wild animals and so on.

Or fear can be imagined and unwarranted - we fear the unknown, new places we have to visit, new situations in our lives, new people we have to meet, or we fear change from the comfort we're used to, we fear what might happen in the future.

So fear, by itself, being natural, is not a sin. But how we react and deal with it can be. Too much unwarranted fear could be an insult to God in that we do not trust Him enough to look after us and care for us. Prayers are the answer.

Let us consider carefully what it is that causes our fear and if there is a genuine reason then we should seek help. Discuss the matter with a trusted relative or friend. If there is cause for concern then we should not suffer and worry alone. Others may be able to help us or get us to see our problem from their perspective.

If however our anxiety is without foundation; and there is nothing practicable we can do to change the situation; we should trust in God. This is what He asks of us. To tell Him how we feel and seek His help to calm us down. He has conquered fear. He has conquered the future. As well as evil. Forever.

Do not be afraid – I will save you. I have called you by name – you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 

It is no point having faith in a Master who walks on water if we do not trust Him enough to follow Him.
 

Do not be afraid

 

FATHER FRANCIS MAPLE